Hull City 0 Stoke City 2: Familiar tale of frustration as blunt Tigers defeated by Championship strugglers

Hull and Stoke have both enjoyed Premier League football in the last decade but in recent years, have become all too well-acquainted with the unforgiving cut and thrust of the EFL.

The Potters sit closer to the third tier than they do the top flight, stuck in a rut managerial changes have not been able to get them out of.

Hull, on the other hand, are a club reborn under the watchful eye of head coach Liam Rosenior and perhaps more importantly, owner Acun Ilicali.

However, it may not yet be their time for a long-awaited return to the promised land. Their defeat to Stoke, inflicted by goals from Josh Laurent and Ki-Jana Hoever, laid bare the issues they need to address on the pitch.

The game followed a pattern seen before by the home faithful this season, as the Tigers probed to no avail. There was a dearth of creativity and an alarming absence of ruthlessness as Hull failed to find their cutting edge in the final third.

Neat exchanges between Lewie Coyle and Jaden Philogene did not yield the openings they promised to, while the latter and Anass Zaroury squandered chances that did open up.

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The game was crying out for some inspiration but Hull remained blunt in attack, with only occasional flashes of a sharp edge. Moments of excitement remained fleeting, as the crowd struggled to find amusement from the flat game unfolding in front of them.

Hull fans spent little time on their feet but were brought to attention when Fabio Carvalho and Noah Ohio combined to release Jaden Philogene away down the left. The winger twisted and turned before trying his luck but his shot was dragged way wide.

Stoke had looked bright throughout, even though the lion’s share of possession was enjoyed by the Tigers.

Their perseverance was rewarded with 20 minutes left on the clock, when Hull left Laurent unattended. The Potters captain met a flick from Ryan Mmaee to poke home at the back post and give the away side the lead.

Ozan Tufan, Billy Sharp and Aaron Connolly all entered the fray to freshen up the Hull attack as Stoke sought to defend their lead with grit.

However, the changes failed to pay dividends as Steven Schumacher’s Potters remained resolute. Although Stoke defended with gusto, there was very little to do for Daniel Iversen as Hull continued to lack precision when it was required.

Stoke’s lead was doubled in stoppage time, when Hull were caught short at the back and Hoever fired past Ryan Allsop with style.

The defeat was made more painful for Hull by results elsewhere, as wins for Coventry City and Preston North End dropped the Tigers into ninth.

Norwich City also secured victory, holding on to sixth place with a comeback win against Plymouth Argyle.

The promotion picture in the Championship is an ever-changing landscape and one that Hull appear to be in danger of falling away from.

Hull City: Allsop, Coyle, Jones, McLoughlin, Giles (Connolly 75); Slater (Morton 60), Seri (Sharp 71); Philogene, Carvalho, Zaroury (Omur 59); Ohio (Tufan 71).

Unused substitutes: Pandur, Christie, Jacob, Traore.

Stoke City: Iversen, Hoever, Rose, McNally, Stevens; Thompson, Cundle (Vidigal 71), Laurent, Leris (Baker 80); Mmaee (Ennis 80), Haksabanovic (Jun-Ho 71).

Unused substitutes: Bonham, Wilmot, Johnson, Campbell, Manhoef.

Referee: Graham Scott (Oxfordshire)